Guide to Not Getting Lost at the Malaga Book Fair: The Most Sought-After Signings

Alberto Gómez

Over five hundred signatures in just a few days can turn the Malaga Book Fair into a labyrinth. To avoid leaving with the feeling of having missed the most notable events each day, it is advisable to go with a plan. SUR suggests a selection of authors—from the most media-prominent names to the most interesting proposals—to make the most of the fair without getting overwhelmed. And because a signature, sometimes hurried, sometimes dedicated, turns any copy into a unique object.

Thursday, April 30

The opening ceremony, with the traditional parade of authorities and representatives from collaborating institutions, will begin at six in the evening. An hour later, in the Eduardo Ocón auditorium, the Malaga writer Esther García Llovet will give the opening speech. At seven-thirty, the author of 'Los guapos', one of the most ironic and sharp voices in our literature, will be at the University of International Andalusia (UNIA) venue.

Earlier, at six-thirty, Lorenzo Silva, a reference in the noir genre in Spain, will be at the UNIA space, located between booths 41 and 42. These days he presents 'Con nadie', the novelized story of General Campins, who was shot for remaining loyal to the Republic.

Friday, May 1

The morning starts at eleven-thirty in the Patio de Banderas with Esther García Llovet, who presents 'Las jefas' alongside Vicente Luis Mora. An hour later, it will be Marta Robles' turn, who will discuss 'Amada Carlota', while at one-thirty, illustrator Agustina Guerrero will take over in the same space.

Beyond the presentations, activity in the booths will be constant from early on: Guerrero will sign at twelve-thirty in Comic Store (booths 35-36-37), while García Llovet will do so at the same time in Rayuela (54-55) and, in the afternoon, Llucia Ramis will sign in Fnac (67-68).

At six, the Eduardo Ocón Auditorium hosts Bernardo Atxaga, one of the most prominent names on the poster. An hour later he will sign at UNIA. At six-thirty Ramis presents 'Un metro cuadrado' in the Patio de Banderas. The day closes with two simultaneous appointments at seven-thirty: the jurist José Antonio Martín Pallín in the Rectorate and Amarna Miller in the Ocón.

Saturday, May 2

Saturday starts early: at ten in the morning, Vicente Vallés presents 'La caza del ejecutor' in the Patio de Banderas. An hour later he will sign at UNIA. At twelve-thirty, in the Patio de Banderas, Vicente Luis Mora returns to the program with 'El libro blanco'.

In parallel, the booths concentrate much of the movement: at one-thirty, Mora will sign in Proteo (47-48), while throughout the day signings will take place in spaces such as Librería Luces (59-60-61) or Fnac (67-68), with special influx around midday.

In the afternoon, at five-thirty, Carlos Arenas Posadas opens the agenda in the Patio de Banderas, before Elsa Punset takes center stage at six in the Ocón, presented by journalist Esther Luque.

At six-thirty, Amparo Llanos approaches the universe of Jane Austen in the Patio de Banderas and, later, at seven-thirty, will sign copies at the Rayuela booth (54-55). At seven, Ana Garriga and Carmen Urbita present their work in the Ocón. The closing is at seven-thirty by Alfredo Taján in the Patio de Banderas.

Sunday, May 3

The Sunday session starts at eleven-thirty with Pablo Cerezo in the Patio de Banderas, followed at twelve-thirty by Brigitte Vasallo, who presents 'La fosa abierta'. At one in the afternoon, the Ocón hosts Nani Castañeda with his anthology on alternative music.

In parallel, the booths experience one of their busiest moments: Cerezo will sign at twelve-thirty in Rayuela (54-55), Vasallo will do so at one-thirty in the same space and Vicente Luis Mora will pass by at one in Fnac (67-68).

In the afternoon, at five-thirty, Paula Guerrero passes through the Rectorate, while at six-thirty, Arantza Portabales presents her new novel in the Patio de Banderas.

Monday, May 4

The activity is concentrated in the Rectorate, where at six in the evening Mireia Velasco presents 'La inflamación no es la cuestión'. An hour later, at seven, Guillermo de Osma addresses the figure of Maruja Mallo. Both will also pass through booths: Velasco will sign at seven in Proteo (47-48) and De Osma will do so at eight in Librería Luces (59-60-61).

Tuesday, May 5

At five-thirty, Mar Cabra presents 'Vivir a jornada completa' in the Rectorate alongside Agustín Rivera. At six, Mayte Gómez Molina takes over in the Patio de Banderas with 'La boca llena de trigo' and at seven Joaquín Araújo closes the day. In booths, Cabra will sign at six-thirty in Librería Luces (59-60-61), Gómez Molina at seven in Rayuela (54-55) and Araújo at eight in that same space of Luces.

Wednesday, May 6

The afternoon starts at five-thirty with Eduardo Jiménez Urdiales in the Rectorate. At six, Jesús Aguado presents his new poetry collection in the Patio de Banderas, while at six-thirty María Iglesias returns to the Rectorate with 'Puro empeño'. At seven, Alfonso González Cachinero closes the day. In parallel, Aguado will sign at seven in Proteo (47-48), Iglesias will do so at seven and at seven-thirty in Librería Luces and Cachinero at eight in that same space.

Thursday, May 7

At five-thirty, Carmen Domingo presents 'La soledad fue el precio' in the Rectorate. At six, Laura Chivite passes through the Patio de Banderas with 'Superé a los soldados' and, later, will sign at seven in Rayuela (54-55). At seven, two appointments coincide: Carlos Pérez-Ariza in the Patio de Banderas and a dramatized reading coordinated by Pablo Bujalance in the Rectorate.

Friday, May 8

At five-thirty, the Argentine writer Martín Caparrós presents his work in the Ocón. At seven-fifteen, Abraham Gragera will sign in Proteo (47-48), followed at eight by Isabel Bono in that same space. The closure of the day arrives at eight-thirty with the signing in UNIA by the British Alan Hollinghurst, who an hour earlier will present 'Nuestras veladas' in the Rectorate.

Saturday, May 9

The day starts at twelve with María Dueñas in the Eduardo Ocón, in one of the meetings with the highest attendance forecast. At one, she will sign copies in Rayuela (54-55).

In the afternoon, at seven, Andrés Neuman will be in Proteo (47-48), in one of the most interesting signings for readers of contemporary narrative. At seven-thirty, Aroa Moreno Durán presents 'Los cuchillos largos' and, later in the evening, at eight-thirty, the Scottish Irvine Welsh puts the international finishing touch by signing in UNIA. An hour earlier he will present his book in the Ocón.

Sunday, May 10

The last day will be one of the liveliest in the booths, with continuous signings from ten and several peaks of attendance mid-morning in spaces such as Fnac (67-68), Librería Luces (59-60-61) or Comic Store (35-36-37). At twelve-thirty, for example, Christian Gálvez will sign in Fnac.

At one, Iria Parente and Selene Pascual will gather a good part of the young audience in Librería Luces, while in the afternoon, starting at five, the pace will reactivate with names like Ángel Idígoras in Comic Store. The closure will arrive at seven in the evening in the Patio de Banderas with Chantal Maillard, one of the most radical and powerful voices of contemporary poetry and thought.

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